Postpartum questions?

Question

I am 39w5d, and will probably be induced sometime next week because I am not showing any signs on dilating, and there has been complications with the baby. I have been worried about those days recovering from labor. So, here's my questions.

1. When there is a tear/episiotomy, when are the stitches removed? How uncomfortable or difficult did this make things such as walking, bowel movements, and urination?

2. The bleeding that occurs after delivery, does it really last for 6 weeks? Is it a heavy bleeding or does it tapor off eventually?

3.I've heard sex is not reccomended during those 6 weeks because of infection. Did everyone wait the recommended 6 weeks? If not, was there complications because of intercourse?

Any answers would be helpful.. thanks, people!

Answer 1

The vast majority of the time the stitches are the kind that dissolve on their own and don't have to be removed. As far as how difficult it makes things, that really depends on how bad it is. But reguardless of whether or not you tear or need an episiotomy, your perineum will still be sore, swollen, and bruised for a while. They will give you a peri bottle and everytime you use the bathroom you use it to squirt water over the area and it will make it feel much better. Also, there is a spray they can prescribe that will numb the area temporarily. Eat lots of fiber a few days before being induced and after the baby is born ask the dr for stool softeners so the first bowel movement won't be so rough.
As for the post-partum bleeding, it lasts on average 2 weeks but can last up to 6. It can be heavy when you are more active and often tapers off when you are resting a lot. It is a good indicator if you are doing too much too soon.
And drs don't recommend sex for 6 weeks and honestly, if you have an episiotomy or tear you probably aren't even going to feel like having sex. My sister--had baby by c-section--but was still told to wait 6 weeks, well, she didn't, and got pregnant again only 4 weeks post-partum.

Good luck to you and your baby!

Answer 2

Hi there, I've had 3 children and only one episiotomy.

1. It did take longer to recover from the episiotomy then my last 2. The stitches won't have to be removed, they will dissolve on their own. It really wasn't that bad, I was shopping at the mall with my mom and new baby 7 days after delivery. I had to take it easy and not walk too much of course but it was ok. Sometimes when with urination it will sting. Bowel movements felt like I was straining and I was scared but the nurses reassured me that nothing would happen. They will give you a bottle that you can use to clean off with after going to the bathroom. I used it everytime and it was very useful.

2. I would say it depends on your body and amount of activity. With my first child I was constantly climbing stairs and I did bleed worse with her. I also stopped bleeding around 4 weeks and start doing a lot more and the bleeding returned. It's usually like a period the first week and then tapers off to barely anything.

3. With my first child I think we waited 4 or 5 weeks. I did not have any complications but don't recommend it. It was a bit uncomfortable so I waited the full 6 weeks with the next 2.

Good luck with labor and delivery and not to worry, the pain and discomfort of child birth are easily forgotton when you look into your child's eyes. I would gladly do it all over again to have my 3 beautiful babies here on this earth with me! (I'd like more, but hubby isn't to keen and then of course we'd have to upgrade to a van....)

Answer 3

1. You will be pretty much healed by 6 wks and the stitched should disolve on their own. I never had to have any removed from there. Yes it is uncomfortable at first. For me I didn't like walking for the first 2 wks (I did it just didn't like it). The urine can burn for awhile so you need to keep a squirt bottle handy to wash off the stitches with cool water. Bowelmovements can be difficult for awhile and you may feel like you are going to rip but you will be fine. You need to keep the stitches clean.

2. The bleeding starts out heavy but will decrease a lot just in 48 hrs but some bleed for 6 wks and others can stop around 2-4 wks.

3. Sex shouldn't happen for the 6 wks after giving birth because of the stitches needing to heal if you have them, you may be bleeding for the 6 wks, infections can happen, pregnancy can happen which would be hard on your body.

Answer 4

1. I don't the answer - never had this
2. My bleeding always lasted between 4 and 6 weeks. Heavy like a heavy period at first then tapers off to where you can get by with just a liner.
3. I always wait 6 weeks, believe me sex will the furthest thing from your mind. You will want this precious time for sleep.

Best of Luck

Answer 5

The doctor will give you stool softeners to help you with going to the bathroom. When my step-daughter's friend had her baby and the epidural wore off she was in a lot of pain when she went to the bathroom so the nurse told her to use Preperation H on her pad to help.

not everyone bleeds for the entire 6 weeks, but it is a good idea to wait until the 6 weeks are up anyway because not only is there a higher chance of infection, women are HIGHLY fertile within those 6 weeks so it is quite possible to get pregnant again.

Answer 6

If there is not any foul smell and you're no longer completely hurting down there, that is in all probability typical, esp. in the adventure that your infant nursed probably the day till now or something. Did everybody practice you the thank you to do uterine rubdown on your self? i've got self assurance in waiting till a minimum of the lochia has stopped to have intercourse with the aid of fact it somewhat is a demonstration that your cervix remains open. save in mind that lochia is led to by using a super wound interior your uterus the place the placenta was linked and sheered off. appreciate your physique and assume your better half to, too. in case you reallly desire to be sexual, get resourceful!

Answer 7

1. The stitches are the kind that dissolve so you don't need them removed

2. It didn't last that long for me. It tapers off.

3. Especially if you tear...( I did) You won't even want to walk, let alone have sex.

Hope I helped.